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Great Reasons to Visit Paris

Paris is certainly one of the top cities in the world based on any objective measure. It is visited by more people than any of the city and with good…

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Paris is certainly one of the top cities in the world based on any objective measure. It is visited by more people than any of the city and with good reason. The city excels at giving visitors a first class experience that is difficult to rival. Whether you are visiting the city for business or on a vacation, there are a myriad of things to engage you, entertain you, and fill you with wonder.

The best way to get around the city is to hire a luxury limo service in Paris to take you around the city and all over France if needed. Choose a company that offers sedans, vans, minibuses and coaches to make sure you are comfortable and accommodated no matter the size of your group. Here are some of the reasons why you have to visit Paris.

 The History

Since 62BC there have been people living in what is now Paris. The Romans originally settled the area and made it a valuable outpost for themselves. The city quickly developed into a hub for commerce. By the year 506 the Franks has conquered the city and ever since it has been a French capital. By 987 under the rule of the Capetian kings, Paris gradually became the largest and most prosperous city in France. By the end of the 12th century, Paris had become the political, economic, religious, and cultural capital of France and it has remained its beating heart since that time.

Throughout every period of European history since the 2300s Paris has been a key center playing an important part in every important decision and in every cultural period that emerged. Paris has been a leader. This status continues today as Paris is recognized as one of the world’s great cities.

The Culture

Paris has as many great museums, art galleries, and cultural landmarks as any other city on the planet. As you drive or walk through the streets of Paris you feel as if you are passing through a museum or art gallery based on the beautiful architecture and very recognizable buildings and attractions you will view. Here are a few that you should look to visit when you come to Paris.

The Attractions

When you choose to come to Paris there was some sights that you cannot pass up. The city excels in internationally recognized things to see, cultural experiences and attractions. Here is a short list of what you need to see and experience when you visit Paris.

The Eiffel Tower

The first must-visit attraction for you to see in Paris is known the world over as the most iconic symbol of France. Standing in the heart of the city, on the Champ de Mars its steel lattice frame represents the strength of the French and its shape pointing toward the clouds tells of the aspirations of the French to always reach skyward. .You can tour the Eiffel Tower daily and get a view of the entire city from its observation level. You can also have lunch or dinner at the Restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel located in the Eiffel Tower.

The Louvre

The Lourve is probably the most well-known museum in the world. Most people do not realize it is also the largest museum in the world. It contains thousands of exhibits including some of the most influential and important in the world. Here you can also find some of the world’s most famous artworks by many of the past and present masters. It is located on the Right Bank of the Seine River and is open daily to visitors.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the city’s most famous landmarks, It is a historic catholic cathedral located on the East side of Île de la Cité. The cathedral was built in 1163 and still attracts thousands of visitors each day because of its history, beauty and significance to the catholic religion.  Today it is a must see stop when in Paris.

Paris is a place where you can make lasting memories whether you come alone, with family or on business.

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When Doing Business in Indonesia Consider Making a Side Trip to One of These Island Paradises

There are few countries on earth with the beauty and allure of Indonesia. This fast rising economic power is recognized worldwide as a place where international businesses are focusing as…

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There are few countries on earth with the beauty and allure of Indonesia. This fast rising economic power is recognized worldwide as a place where international businesses are focusing as a new growth area. In addition, the country is a tourist magnet, attracting visitors from all parts of the world to its biggest city, Jakarta and also to its island paradises which include Bali.

Indonesia with its nearly 250 million in habitants is by far, Southeast Asia’s most inhabited country. This nearly 3,000 mile long archipelago sits right across the equator and consists of more than 18,000 islands with more than 12,000 of those inhabited. When one is interested to coming to Indonesia they usually intend to stay on either Java (the most populate island in the world and where Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is located), or Bali, (its southeastern tropical paradise). But as you can imagine there are many other islands to consider visiting. Some are rough and rugged with little creature comforts while others are well developed and overflowing with amenities. Here is a list of the islands to think about when you consider a vacation in Indonesia.

Java

Since the entire country sits on islands, we should introduce the most popular island destination in Indonesia to start. As mentioned its capital city, Jakarta is located on the island of Java which has more than 150 million inhabitants. Jakarta is a large urban metropolis with all of the usual big city features and amenities. There you can find great hotels, bars and restaurants and a nightlife that is vibrant.

Java’s second city, Yogyakarta is much less busy and serves as a cultural and spiritual hub. Here you will find ancient temples, art exhibits, and many creative performers doing their art out in the open. The city features glorious Prambanan temples, and even a ballet of the Hindu story Ramayana.

Once you leave these two cities, you will find that Java has many areas that are less developed and exceedingly beautiful. The island offers pristine rainforests and two popular destinations: the breathtaking Mount Bromo and the exquisite Kebun Rya Botanical Gardens. Each of these is an all-day affair and you should definitely bring a camera. You will also find many Buddhist temples including the most famous in Indonesia called Borobudur which dates back to the eighth-century.

The following islands are not very well known, but unlike Bali, which has its own magical charm, but is also always a bit crowded, these islands will offer you space, new adventures and undiscovered treasures. Each can be reached by a short plane ride from Jakarta or Bali.

Sumba

Just Southeast and a one-hour flight from Bali sits the beautiful island of Sumba. Sumba is not what one expects to see in this part of the world. Unlike most of the islands in the archipelago that are covered with lush rainforest, Sumba is renowned for its picturesque limestone hills and its covering of corn fields that can be found on all parts of the island. For sure, there is lots of forest on the island, but the island has its own distinct kind of beauty and many think it is one of the most beautiful in the island chain. The island of course also has its share of white sand beaches and topaz waves lapping its shores and with its perfect weather, there is no need to pack anything more than your swimsuit and light summer clothes.

Sumba’s natives are called the Kampung and are distinct from the typical Indonesian people. Their ancestry is Austronesian and Melanesian and they have a different culture and language. And where Indonesians are typically Muslim, Kampungs are mostly Christian. Of course their brand of Christianity includes many tribal customs that have remained throughout the centuries the most prominent of which is a festival held in March each year called Pasola. This celebration marks the end of a good harvest and allows the young male members of the community to compete against one another to show their strength and courage.

What you can do there: If you are a professional surfer or love to surf, you have surely heard about the outstanding surfing on Sumba. Its most famous surfing attraction is called Occy’s Left which is a rare left hand barrel wave. Surfers come to ride these waves and because the waves are large and consistent.

Sumba citizens are warm and friendly and there are a few mid-level hotels and resorts that can provide you with many types of amenities including tours of the island, hiking and water sports. The only high-end resort is the eco-friendly Nihiwatu Resort. So if you are eco-conscious and you want to have a great time, it is the place you should book. Sumba is an island waiting to be discovered by those who love culture hunting.

Mentawai Islands

If you want to experience a one-of-a-kind destination that will be a conversation piece for you, you have to visit the Mentawai Islands. These are a group of about seventy islands located about 90 miles off the western coast of Sumatra, with Siberut being the largest and most inhabited of the island group.

Although the islands are only a short distance from Sumatra, the Mentawai people developed completely on their own and as a result have a set of beliefs distinct from the main islanders. The local Mentawaians had little contact with the outside world before the 19 century and as a result developed their own culture which remains nearly intact.

What you can do there: Like many of the islands in outer islands in Indonesia, the Mentawai Islands are a surfer’s paradise. They offer some of the best and most consistent breaks throughout the year. It is also a place where the waves are so radical that many are named.

The islands also offers kayaking and boating and have lots of great coral making it fantastic for snorkeling and scuba diving, but a guide is needed to ensure you keep safe.

The fishing off the Mentawai Islands is some of the best in Indonesia with a large variety of large and small fish in great abundance. There are boats on the islands that you can charter. They provide everything you need to catch any of the fish in the waters, so all you need is the desire and they will do the rest.

One of the biggest attractions on the islands is hiking through the dense forests. There are tours that take visitors on excursions to the local villages which lie in the forests and give them a chance to interact with the villagers. Although some are into teeth sharpening and major body tattoos, they welcome visitors and often expect new company to spend the night.

These destinations are chosen to allow you to see some parts of Indonesia that often do not get discussed. They will offer amazing amenities and a cultural experience that you will remember for a lifetime. When you are doing business in Indonesia ask the locals about these places and you will see how loved they are.

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How to Make Your Business Trip Run Like a Dream

I recently went to Paris on my very first business trip and it wasn’t until I got home and started assessing how it went, that I had the chance to…

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I recently went to Paris on my very first business trip and it wasn’t until I got home and started assessing how it went, that I had the chance to work out what I would do differently next time around. From a business perspective, the trip went just as planned, I wasn’t late for any meetings and I closed the deals that I was looking to close. With that being said, there was many areas of the trip that I could have made better and I wanted to share them with you so that if you are planning a business trip, you can learn from my mistakes.

Airport Transfer

I wish I had booked an airport transfer in Paris because although the flight wasn’t a long one, I was nervous about the meeting the next day and I could have done without trying to negotiate the public transport system upon arrival. Getting straight to the hotel, getting some food and prepping is all I wanted to do so I would recommend that wherever you are heading to, make sure that someone is waiting for you at the airport.

Entertainment

I had no idea how much down time that I would have as I was waiting for meetings or even in my hotel room alone at night and I wish I had planned some entertainment a little better. If you are heading away, take the time to download some movies or games to your electronic devices, it is a great way to switch off and after a day of meetings, you will need it.

Sim Card

One near-fatal error that I made was not realizing that my phone couldn’t accept foreign SIM cards and so I was forced to duck into cafes for their wi-fi whenever I needed to make a call. You should check before you go that your phone is able to accept the local SIM or buy a cheap phone which can, being out of touch when you are in the midst of a business trip is most definitely not recommended.

Day Before

I flew the day before my first business meeting and whilst it worked out alright, I was quickly reminded how fine I had cut it. The flight that went to Paris from London just after mine, was delayed by 9 hours due to mechanical break down, had this been mine, I would have missed my first meeting, not the impression which you want to give prospective clients. If you are booking your flights then I advise you do it 2 days before your first meeting, just to be sure.

Paper Copies

If you are taking important information with you, make sure that you do so in both paper and digital form. Shortly before one of my meetings, my tablet suddenly died and I was forced to ask the receptionist to charge it up for me. I managed to get my information in time but I won’t be running that risk again, print off your info before you go and take it should anything go wrong.

What business trip tips do you have? Feel free to share it with us in the comments section below.

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How to Pack Minimally For Your Next Business Trip

So, you’re getting ready for your next big trip to take care of some business. Maybe you’re just there going there for a meeting, or perhaps you want to spend…

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So, you’re getting ready for your next big trip to take care of some business. Maybe you’re just there going there for a meeting, or perhaps you want to spend a couple of days at a conference. In any case, you’re probably wanting to make things as easy as possible for yourself, and hopefully avoid incurring any nasty extra baggage fees from your airline along the way.

And even if fees aren’t a factor, that’s not the point; it’s always nice just to know that you’re packing light, taking only the things you know you’re going to need and leaving the rest at home. So, without further a due, today we’re going to share some tips to help you pack minimally on your next business trip.

Pack Efficiently

Learn How to Pack Minimally and you will avoid having to pay excessive fees

So, this is the most obvious point, but one that needs to be reiterated anyway. Whether you’re going to be taking a duffel bag, a suitcase, or a hanger bag, consider how much space you have.

You’ll probably also have a carry on, and you may even be able to bring on a “personal item” free of charge as well (such as a laptop bag or small briefcase – check with your airline for specifics).

In any case, you should immediately start getting rid of the superfluous; that means taking your phone and tablet, while leaving behind your laptop, cords, your kindle, your paper notebooks, and your paperbacks.

For the vast majority of things, a phone and tablet will provide more than enough functionality to keep you ticking over for two days. If not, take a laptop, but try to keep the number of tech items you’re taking to a minimum; there’s no reason to take every portable device you own “just in case”.

Be Simply Elegant

Basically, what this means is that you should pack your clothes according to keeping things simply functional. If the weather’s going to be warm, that means you can pack thinner clothes which is all the better.

So, start thinking about outfits that you can wear which won’t take up much space but will work when worn together; often, a shirt rolled up to the sleeves and worn over a white tee, along with some well-fitting chinos and snazzy shoes will allow you to look smart and together without needing to share the fact that you’re skimping on clothes!

In fact, a suit jacket is especially light but can also work with a variety of tops depending on how you use it. Just make sure to leave your hoodies and coats at home.

Buy Disposable

Unless you’re particularly attached to the ones you own, feel free to buy cheap disposable items when you arrive at your destination. This means investing a small amount in a toothbrush, razors, deodorants, and anything else you need to keep yourself looking sharp. The upside is that it will save valuable space in your luggage, and – if you do the math – may even save you money by avoiding excess luggage fees.

So there you have it – our favourite ways to keep things minimal when you’re on the road. Obviously, this is an art in and of itself, so feel free to get creative! For more great articles on biz travel, remember to keep checking back.

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